Contents

Characteristics

The A6 Juggernaut model was twice as large as its predecessor, measuring 30.4 meters in height and 49.4 meters in length. Its interior space was greatly increased to allow for up to three hundred troopers and equipment, a complement of close support craft like speeder bikes and light airspeeders, or a mix of both. A combination of twelve crew members were required to pilot and control the massive vehicle, although with an automation package that requirement could be reduced to just two pilots.

With thicker, thermally superconducting armor (capable of absorbing enemy fire and dispersing heat over a wide area) and a heavier load, the A6 Juggernaut could only achieve 160 kilometers per hour, and the turning issues of the A5 model were magnified with the A6. The slowness required for negotiating turns encouraged the A6's use on open terrain rather than urban battlefields.

Weapons systems were also upgraded to include a heavy laser cannon turret, a rapid repeating laser cannon, two medium antipersonnel laser cannons, two twin antipersonnel blaster cannons, and two turreted projectile launchers, loadable with variable-yield concussion grenades for close support or missiles for added anti-armor firepower. Missile range was 30km. Against an unshielded target, a Juggernaut could deliver the heat of a nuclear bomb into a small area.[2]

From a small pod above the vehicle's back, a spotter kept lookout for enemy forces. Though there was a large view of the area, he was an easy target for hostile troops. This observation mast could be retracted when not in use.

History

The A6 model saw its heaviest use in service of the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars. Due to a flawed direct-delivery system maintained by Kuat Drive Yards during the conflict, some A6 Juggernauts also fell into the hands of the CIS.

Oddly enough, it seems that its predecessor, the A5 model, was far more used by the Galactic Empire, even in key battles such as the Battle of Hoth. This may be partially explained by the fact that the A5 model, due to its inferior size, was more versatile, and specially good in urban combat battlefields.

Later-generation AT-ATs would borrow certain design-elements from the Juggernauts.

When chosen to appear in Revenge of the Sith, the realization of its scale and weapon systems greatly outstripped those imagined by the Expanded Universe, being roughly larger by a scale factor of two, or eight times larger in volume.

To accommodate this, the version that appears on-screen was denoted as the A6 model, with the smaller, EU model already denoted as the A5.

The "Clone Turbo Tank" name possibly arose because at the time of the release of the prequels, Toy Biz owned the rights to produce toys named "Juggernaut" (as they had the Marvel license). Now that Hasbro has the rights to this name, it remains to be seen if the Clone Turbo Tank will be called the Juggernaut in future merchandise.